Charlotte’s marathon for brave sister (22)

Charlotte Buckley and her sister Katie from Catterall. Katie has Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

Published:08:23Saturday 26 March 2016

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The Greater Manchester Marathon will be an emotional event for Charlotte Buckley as she raises money for a sister suffering with leukaemia and in memory of her dad.

Charlotte’s sister Katie, 22, has acute myeloid leukaemia and is searching for second stem cell transplant and the 20-year-old from Catterall is raising money for blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.

The run is also in memory of her dad Mark, who died after falling off his bike two years ago, and Charlotte says it could be emotional.

“The marathon will be especially emotional as it’s something so personal I am doing,” she said. “Not only because it’s to show my support for Katie, but because my dad did many marathons before me and always wanted me to follow in his footsteps. It is very upsetting that he won’t be there to watch me complete my first one but I know he’d be extremely proud.

“My sister Sam has done a few marathons now so she will be there to support me on the day, along with the rest of my family.”

Katie was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was 15 and despite a successful transplant, the cancer returned and she is now in the Christie Foundation Trust in Manchester.

And the family suffered a devastating blow when it was revealed she was no longer eligible for another bone marrow transplant after becoming resistant to chemotherapy.

Charlotte said: “We’re still hoping there’s a way to get around it and there’s still experimental treatments she can try. I just want to raise as much money as possible for the charity and I know my family, including Katie, will be there to support me.”

The marathon takes place on April 10 and Charlotte is also running the Great Manchester 10k on May 22. The University of Manchester student also volunteers with the Manchester Marrow society, a student group of the charity Anthony Nolan and says her sister’s situation highlights that more work needs to be done.

To donate to Charlotte’s cause visit www.justgiving.com/Charlotte-Buckley5/ or join the donor list www.anthonynolan.org/